Description
A flavorful and hearty Mexican Rice Casserole combining ground beef, vegetables, beans, and rice simmered in a zesty salsa and tomato sauce mixture, topped with melted Colby Jack cheese and fresh cilantro. This one-pan dish is perfect for a comforting family meal with a burst of Tex-Mex flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef (at least 85/15 lean)
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 (16 ounce) jar salsa
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups freshly shredded Colby Jack cheese, divided
For Garnish
- Fresh chopped cilantro, for serving
- Your favorite taco toppings (such as sour cream, avocado slices, jalapeños, or chopped tomatoes)
Instructions
- Brown Beef and Season: In a large skillet with deep sides over medium heat, brown the ground beef together with the diced green bell pepper and onion. Once cooked through, drain any excess grease. Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add the taco seasoning and mix thoroughly to combine all the flavors.
- Simmer with Rice: To the same skillet, add the drained black beans, drained corn, beef broth, salsa, and tomato sauce. Raise the heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, stir in the long-grain white rice. Lower the heat to a simmer, cover the skillet, and cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom. Cook until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Melt Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat, stir in half of the shredded Colby Jack cheese into the hot rice mixture. Then sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly on top, cover the skillet again and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the cheese to melt fully.
- Serve: Garnish the casserole with fresh chopped cilantro and serve hot alongside your favorite taco toppings to enhance the flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Make sure to rinse and drain the canned beans and corn to reduce excess sodium and improve taste.
- Adjust the amount of taco seasoning to your preferred spice level.
- To avoid sticking, stir the rice occasionally during simmering and check the liquid levels to ensure it doesn’t dry out prematurely.
- This dish can be made vegetarian by substituting ground beef with plant-based crumbles and using vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated thoroughly before serving.
